The Chandaria Awards is an annual program by the Global Peace Foundation that honors outstanding fellows from the President’s Fellowship Leadership Mentorship Program. These awards celebrate individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, social impact, and commitment to community service.
The award honors one male and one female fellow recognized for their ability to inspire change, solve problems creatively, and prioritize the greater good. Past recipients have made significant contributions in areas such as youth and women empowerment, mental health, environmental sustainability, and peacebuilding, highlighting their positive influence on society and inspiring others to lead meaningful change.
The following is a list of fellows honored with the award since its inception in 2021.
Amb. Philip Juma
Philip Juma is the founder of the Takamali Initiative and co-chair of the Laiserhill Youth Association, Amb.
Takamali Initiative focuses on youth and women empowerment, peacebuilding initiatives, sports, environmental conservation, health awareness, and charity. He has donated food to over 3,000 families and issued certificates to over 70 youths through a mentorship program.
Additionally, he organized Kikao Talks, a platform to support women’s sustainability projects, and championed health campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also founded a youth football team and organized the Takamali Christmas Charity Colour Festival to support less privileged families.
Recognized for his work, he has won multiple awards, including Best Business Community Member of the Year (2017) and the 2024 Afri-Glo Youth Empowerment Icon of the Year.
His dedication to sustainable development earned him recognition as Philip’s efforts reflect the core values of the Chandaria Award, which aims to recognize leaders who drive meaningful societal change.
Amb. Phyllis Wanja
Phyllis Wanja, founder and CEO of Afyakili, has harnessed the transformative power of art to address mental health challenges globally. Through her innovative approach, she has simplified mental health concepts and made them accessible to all generations. The initiative, which revolves around the question “How are you feeling today?”, uses creativity and colors to promote emotional wellness.
Phyllis is breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and inspiring dialogues that lead to healing. Her commitment to social impact aligns perfectly with the Chandaria Award’s focus on leadership, innovation, and social change.
Cohort 2 (2022)
Jackline Saleiyan
Founder of A Pack a Month, Jackline Saleiyan has made remarkable strides in empowering marginalized girls and young women. Her initiative provides menstrual hygiene products, mentorship, entrepreneurship training, and life skills. Jackline has also addressed the alarming issue of “sex for pads,” a dangerous practice in some communities, and has supported adolescent mothers by offering free daycare services. Additionally, she has helped reintegrate 40 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) back into school and has planted 3,100 trees to combat climate change. Jackline’s efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition by President William Ruto and the Top 50 African Women Development Award.
Moses Kipruto Chepkoimet
Moses Kipruto Chepkoimet, a resident of Mukutani in Baringo South, has worked tirelessly to foster peace and reconciliation between the Tugen and Pokot communities. Despite being displaced by conflict in 2012, Moses mobilized both youth and community leaders to engage in peacebuilding activities.
Through the Jonam Peace Building Foundation, in collaboration with the Laikipia Nature Conservancy, Moses helped facilitate voluntary peace negotiations, which allowed many displaced families to return to their ancestral lands. His work in social development and peacebuilding showcases the values upheld by the Chandaria Award.
Cohort 3 (2023)
Austine Omondi
Austine Omondi is the founder and chairperson of Brilliant Angels CBO, an organization focused on empowering the Githogoro community through education, health initiatives, and environmental conservation.
Omondi’s work addresses critical social issues such as unemployment, gender-based violence, and environmental degradation. By offering education and health services, he helps create opportunities for local youth and families while promoting sustainable environmental practices. Under his leadership, the organization has provided quality education, organized medical camps, and introduced waste management programs, making a positive impact in the community.
His efforts have played a significant role in improving the well-being of the community and fostering long-term positive change.
Halima Khalif Hussein, founder of The Northern Frontier, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in addressing critical issues such as female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and youth empowerment in Mandera County.
Working with the Kenya Red Cross and as a community health volunteer, Halima has mobilized youth to promote peace, security, and health, while providing vital psychosocial support to FGM survivors. Her initiatives, which include medical outreach and peace education, have significantly impacted her community, particularly in combating early pregnancies and SGBV. Halima’s work aligns perfectly with the values of leadership, innovation, and social impact emphasized by the Chandaria Award.
Cohort 4 (2024)
Abraham Gina Adams
Abraham Gina Adams has demonstrated leadership through his Tilapia Fish Cage Farming project on Lake Victoria. The initiative uses eco-friendly, climate-smart practices to combat overfishing while boosting fish production. Gina’s project addresses key societal challenges, such as “sex-for-fish” exploitation, by providing reliable fish supplies and creating economic opportunities for local communities.
Employing 15 individuals, including women and youth, his project promotes both economic growth and environmental conservation. The initiative supports sustainable development by ensuring the long-term health of the lake’s ecosystem and improving livelihoods in the surrounding communities. AGina’s work is an example of how leadership and innovation can drive both social change and environmental sustainability. His commitment showcases his dedication to creating lasting positive change.
Nimrhodah Mercy is a Group Senior Social Protection Specialist at Equity Group Holdings Plc, a social protection expert, and an advocate for climate change mitigation and sustainable energy solutions.
As the leader of the Asante Self-Help Group, her work addresses both environmental sustainability and economic empowerment. She has developed affordable energy-saving products for low-income households, positively impacting communities in Busia and Nairobi counties. She also advocates for the inclusion of marginalized groups in financial programs, leading proposal and grant-writing efforts to secure donor funding for vulnerable groups in Kenya and other East African countries.
Additionally, her efforts in mobilizing and mentoring youth for clean energy advocacy have raised awareness about climate change and sparked community-driven action. Her achievements are a true reflection of the Chandaria Award’s emphasis on leadership and environmental conservation.
The Chandaria Awards continue to honor individuals whose leadership has made a profound impact on their communities. Each award recipient has not only transformed lives but also inspired others to take action, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond their immediate communities.
Dr. Manu Chandaria, Chairman of the Chandaria Foundation, shares his belief about leadership:
“It is my firm belief that true leadership is about inspiring change, solving problems with ingenuity, and upholding values that transcend individual ambitions for the good of society.”
Through their work, they embody the mission of the Chandaria Award to foster leaders who inspire positive change for the greater good of society.
I am glad to be part of this amazing champions. My Brother Austin Omondi is doing a great job with his Brilliant Angel’s CBO and he is an inspiration to us as his younger brothers.